hen women should vote and
the polls would be in a beautiful hall decorated with paintings,
statuary, etc. The women were very much worried, fearing that the
politicians would be frightened at the idea of so much respectability.]

[Footnote 21: The president of the company, John A. McCall, in a
personal letter, written December 21, 1897, just forty-two years
afterwards, says: "That you may be spared for many, many years to your
numerous friends and admirers is the wish of this company and its
officials."]

CHAPTER IX.

ADVANCE ALONG ALL LINES.

1856.

The letter which Miss Anthony received with so much pleased surprise
was from Samuel May, Jr., cousin of Rev. S.J. May. He was secretary of
the American Anti-Slavery Society, which had its headquarters in
Boston; Wm. Lloyd Garrison was its president, and among its officers
were Wendell Phillips, Francis Jackson, Charles Hovey, Stephen and Abby
Kelly Foster, Parker Pillsbury, Maria Weston Chapman, the most
distinguished Abolitionists of the day. This letter read:

The executive committee of the American Anti-Slavery Society desire
to engage you as an agent, for such time between now and the first
of May next as you may be able to give. Will you let us know what
your engagements are, and, if you can enter into this agency, when
you will be ready to commence? The committee passed no vote as to
compensation. We would like to be informed what would be
acceptable. It is quite probable that your field of service at
first would be western and central New York. An early answer will
much oblige.

A previous chapter has told how Miss Anthony longed to take part in
anti-slavery work, and behold here was the coveted opportunity! And
then to have such a recognition of her ability by this body of men and
women, who represented the brains and conscience of this period of
reforms, was the highest compliment she could receive. The salary, even
though small, would relieve her from the pressing anxiety of making
each day's work pay its own expenses, and while she should be laboring
in a reform in which she was greatly interested, she could at the same
time even more effectually advance the cause which lay nearest to her
heart. But the woman's rights meetings already announced by posters,
what should be done in regard to them? She finally decided to hold them
during January with Frances D. Gage, initiate her and then leave her to
fill the re